Skip to main content

Maverick Ad

Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Cover Stories
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Legacy Awards
  • Past Covers
  • Weekly Archive
Never previously released as singles…..Willi Williams ft. Herb Alpert

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Never previously released as singles…..Willi Williams ft. Herb Alpert
Willi Williams
Fri May 12, 2023
Michael Williams

STEPPING (instrumental written by Willi Williams) featuring Herb Alpert on trumpet

Herb Alpert
Herb Alpert

ONE MORE STEP (written by Willi Williams) with Willi Williams (vocals) featuring Herb Alpert on trumpet. Both tracks produced by Willi Williams & Michael “Greydread” Williams

A few years ago, I went to Willi Williams’s house in Pickering, Ontario, for lunch where he played me music from his forthcoming album, Reggae Can't Done, and I loved it. But there was something missing, something special, something that I heard in the music that would actually take me back to my childhood, thanks to my first records, Tijuana Taxi (from Going Places album) and the album Whipped Cream & Other Delights by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. I told Willi I really wanted Herb’s sound. Inspired by my friend Glenda Fordham of Fordham PR, who told me “you can do this, you can find him” and thankfully I did and with her help, I reached out to the legend himself.

I called his office and they called me right back. I sent them the track… they called me back asking “do you have a lyric sheet?” “Absolutely”, I replied. I sent them the lyric sheet and again, I got another call back. They told me that Mr. Alpert really liked it and he’s going to call me tomorrow to see exactly what I want, need and how he can help me get it done.

I was shocked, I was surprised and I was feeling so blessed: I could not believe that Herb Alpert was going to call me on my phone! The next day was Thursday and he called me as promised, and I said "Mr. Alpert, sir, I can’t even afford this phone call (nervous laughter) let alone afford to have you play on the track.” His unbelievable response was “Don’t worry about that, I love the track, just don’t mess it up.” I assured him I would NOT mess it up. “Now what do you want me to play…” and I explained to him my idea based on the happy musical memories from childhood when listening to him, and added that I’ve always been a fan of his from the beginning. In fact, I think it was the first music I heard outside of the home. I was not just a fan of his sound but also his label, A&M Records.

Michael Williams
Michael Williams

As a grown-up, I actually worked for A&M Records in Montreal, with a wonderful crew of people and where his love for music permeated the offices - from the halls of A&M headquarters in La Brea in Hollywood, California, all the way to Montreal, down here in Toronto and then around the world.  With Mr. Alpert performing on not just one but two tracks for Willi Williams, we’re honoured to put his name first in the credits, with Willi Williams along with Sly Dunbar, the late Robbie Shakespeare and so many other wonderful musicians.

On behalf of Willi and the other musicians, I’d like to wish a big happy birthday to Herb Alpert who turned 88 on March 31, and we wish him well on his 2023 cross-Canada tour. If you haven’t seen him before, you MUST see him now when he performs in your city.

Interviews with Willi Williams or Michael Williams can be arranged via Glenda Fordham (E: fordhampr@roger.com) or Greydreadmusic@gmail.com

Features
Music
Willi Williams
Herb Alpert
Month: May 2025
Cashbox Canada Announces New Column – Picture This! With Tracey Savein May 09
SING! Music Summit Presents a Unique Opportunity to Connect with the Experts of… May 09
First Video Episode Released For Rise And Thrive, Showcasing Real-Life… May 09
TORONTO MUSIC EXPERIENCE PLANS TO OPEN AS A PERMANENT CELEBRATION OF THE… May 09
Attention all Collectors and Aesthetically Attuned Beings! May 02
TORONTO’S 2025 LULAWORLD FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 12 DAYS OF WORLD MUSIC MAGIC May 02
Picture This! With Tracey Savein May 02
Emma Rush Illuminates 19th-Century Guitar Pioneer With “The Life and Times… May 02
Séan McCann Announces “The Great Big Canadian Road Trip" - One Man. One… May 02
Month: Apr 2025
“The New Immersive Van Gogh: Next Chapter” runs to September 1st, 2025 at The… Apr 25
The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown Celebrates Ron MacLean Appearance… Apr 25
“Picture This!” with Tracey Savein Apr 25
New Toronto Jazz Festival Shines Spotlight on Local Legends and Rising Stars Apr 25
SING! THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL VOCAL ARTS FESTIVAL RETURNS MAY 24 TO JUNE 2 Apr 25
SOCAN Foundation’s Executive Director Charlie Wall-Andrews Receives Recognition… Apr 11
2x JUNO-Nominated Children's Music Performer Rosalie Moscoe Returns… Apr 11
Pat Silver Inducted into the 2025 FEO Hall of Fame Apr 11
Terry Gomes Offers Up New Album With “Some Chunes” Apr 11
Get Ready, Toronto - Welcome to Hipsville is BACK! June 14, 2025 Apr 07
Birdsong Artist Terry Witzu Releases New Single “Crying Is Creepy” Apr 04

Pagination

  • Current page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Page 7
  • Page 8
  • Page 9
  • …
  • Next page Next ›
  • Last page Last »

CEO/PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF
SANDY GRAHAM

email:sandygrahamemg@gmail.com 

Canadian Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Don Graham
email: dongrahamwriter@gmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Lisa Hartt
email: lisahartt87@hotmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada 
Michael Williams
email: greydread@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

International Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Malin Osth
email: malin@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Jonas Tancred
email: jonas@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - USA
Rob Durkee 
email: rockster2746@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web Developer/Technical Support
Chris Wardman

email: info@chriswardman.com
website: chriswardman.com

Cashbox Cover Design and Graphic Artist
Jain McMillan

email: jainmcmillan@gmail.com

Contributing Photographer 
Tracey Savein - South Paw Productions
southpawproductions@rogers.com

 

 

 

Footer menu

  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Archive
  • Issue Archive
  • Past Covers